Cambelt. Golf mk4 diesel.

ronnyb

Just wondering if any fretboarders have ever done a diy cambelt change. I've owned the car virtually from new and it's already had a couple of belts but i'd really like to have a go myself. I'm reasonably competent with cars, servicing, brakes etc but there's conflicting views on the internet of it being really difficult to others who say easy job in 3 or 4 hours. I'm aware that if you get it wrong it's catastrophic for the engine.  

tone1

Best advice is to stick in a garage for them to do..
If it goes bang in 3 months it's not your problem.
Get it wrong and it's major grief..think of all that money you have saved by doing your own servicing and brakes etc, and use it to pay a garage.

dern

Depends on the car but it's not too difficult as long as you have the right tools. Find an online guide and make sure you pay attention when it asks for cam locking tools and other bits and pieces you need. Don't improvise on any of these unless you know what you're doing as you don't want to damage any of the teeth. The rest will either be easily (8v rear wheel drive for example) to a complete pain in the arse (fwd 16v for example). The worst I did was a k-series 1.8 in a supercharged elise. The cambelt was easy, access was not.

Do not skimp on changing the water pump and the tensioners while you're in there. Has a 16v golf gti that the previous owner only changes the belt on and not the tensioner. The tensioner seized and the belt melted as it ran over the back of it. Was very lucky and caught it before it snapped.

Haych

If it's the pump deuce flavour my mechanic won't touch them, and he's the most competent and thorough motor engineer I've ever known. 

That said, they get done so obviously not an impossible job. 

With VW it's very possible that there's some specialist tooling required for the job which won't be available anywhere else, and don't expect VW to be eager to sell you the tools, I've tried before and been told no way Jõse.

LooseMoose

You'd be wise to do the water pump and tensioners too, whether you do it yourself or get someone else to.

ronnyb

LooseMoose said:

You'd be wise to do the water pump and tensioners too, whether you do it yourself or get someone else to.

Yes I intend to the water pump is only about £30 and the tensioners can seize causing as much damage as the belt snapping.

Haych

Check YouTube, there're often useful instructional videos regarding cam belts and stuff. I'm sure you'll find one for a diesel VW.